Emergency traction device.



F. B. COM-INS. EMERGENCY TRACTION DEVICE. APPLIQATION FILED MAR. 11.1912.

1,046,273, Patented Dec.3,1 912,

KM 2747M EMERGENCY TRACTION DEVICE.

' Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Dec. 3., 1912.

Application filed March 11, 1912. Serial No. 683,062.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, FRANK B. CoMINs, of Sharon, in the county of Norfolkand State of Massachusetts, have invented a new and Improved EmergencyTraction Device, of which the following is a specification, referencebeing had to the accompanying drawings, forming part thereof.

This invention has reference to improvements in traction devices forwheels, and

particularly to such devices applicable to the wheel tires ofautomobiles.

One object of this invention is to so construct a traction device for apneumatic tire that such device may be conveniently attached to ordetached from a wheel provided with such tire; that the traction devicemay yield and follow or accommodate itself to the undulation of thetire; and that the traction device may, at some point in the rotation ofthe wheel, be wholly removed from contact with the roadway.

Other objects of the invention will appear from the followingdescription.

The invention consists in the traction device or mat hereinafterdescribed and claimed.

Figure 1. represents a side elevation of portions of a wheel having apneumatic tire,

and illustrating the application thereto of the improved traction deviceor mat. Fig. 2. represents a plan view of the improved traction mat.

Similar numbers of reference designate corresponding parts throughout.

In carrying this invention into practice it has been my object toprovide an emergency tract-ion device adapted for use on a wheel havinga pneumatic tire, and of such nature or construction that, where saidwheel be comes stalled in such a manner that the entire periphery of itstire is not accessible, the traction device may be secured to anaccessible portion of the wheel and a portion of the traction devicetucked between the tire and the roadway whereby this loose portion ofthe traction device by the rotation of the wheel, will be carried underthe wheel and into engagement with the underlying roadway. In order tofacilitate the traction engagement between the traction device and theroadway, and particularly where such roadway comprises pockets or otherdepressions containing sand or mud, it is found that the traction deviceshould be so flexible as to accommodate itself to the undulations of thetire sheath or shoe and that the traction device should extendcontinuously for a sufiicient length to afford a continuous engagementwith the roadway during a substantial part of the rotation of the wheel.I

As shown in the drawings A represents a wheel having the spokes B, B andprovided with a pneumatic tire of which C represents the sheath or shoe.

The improved traction device consists of a mat of traction materialindicated as a whole at 5, and comprising a series of links 6, Ginterengaged to form a continuously extending fabric, and having at oneend the hooks?' and, preferably, at its sides securing straps or members8, 8 by means which the mat 5 may be secured over the periphery of thesheath C, and'secured thereon at a point intermediate its length by theengagement of its straps or members 8, 8 with certain of the spokes B, Bof the wheel A, leaving the loose or free end 5. The shape and the sizeof the links 6, 6 and the general construction of the mat- 5 dependslargely upon the nature of the vehicle to the wheel or Wheels of whichthe traction mats are intended to be attached, and to the inclination ofthe user. I

This improved traction device or mat is adapted primarily for use in theemergency that the lower portion of the wheel becomes stalled in adepression of the roadway usually containing mud, sand or other materialin which the periphery of the tire cannot engage sufficiently with thematerial-of the roadway to effect traction thereover or where the end ofsaid depression or pocket forming the fulcrum is so abrupt that theengagement of the tire therewith is not suflicient to withstand thelifting leverage of the wheel. In such case the mat 5 is hooked on tothe upper exposed front. portion of the wheel, as indicated in Fig. 1and said mat extends downward and partially arourfd the tire and securedby means of the straps or securing means8, 8 which are passedaround thespokes B, B, while the free lower end is tucked betwen the tire and theroadway. Poweris now applied to the wheel to effect itsrotation and saidwheel may now advance for a short distance over said free portion 5' ofthe mat 5, after which the traction device or mat 5 is carried aroundthe wheel and may'then be removed therefrom,

It is to, be understood that the present device is not adapted orintended for constant use as an anti skid traction device and Idistinguish thls invention from an anti skid device or ordinary tractiondevices particuirirly in that such devices are constructed to be appliedto the'entire circumference of the Wheel tire or that the action ofportions of the traction members is relative to other portions thereofat the opposite portion of paratively large extent of such tire isinac-' cessible. p

Having thus described my invention I claim as new and desire to secureby Letters Patent.

1. An emergency traction device for Wheels comprising a flexible mathaving means for securing and stretching a lengthwise portion thereofagainst the wheel tread, one of said securing means being located at apoint distant from the end of said mat whereby such end portion may hangfree of the Wheel.

2. An emergency wheels comprising a mat formed of chain links having atone end a air of securing hooks and at the sides, at polnts distant fromthe other end, a pair of complemental securing straps one of, which hasa buckle,"substantially as described.

FRANK B. COMINS.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressingthe Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. 0.

traction device for

